U.S. patent number 9,097,033 [Application Number 13/544,585] was granted by the patent office on 2015-08-04 for tower lifting stand system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Walbridge Equipment Installation LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Joseph R. Margevicius, Andrew S. Oliver, Marvin G. Wasmund. Invention is credited to Joseph R. Margevicius, Andrew S. Oliver, Marvin G. Wasmund.
United States Patent |
9,097,033 |
Margevicius , et
al. |
August 4, 2015 |
Tower lifting stand system
Abstract
A tower lifting stand system and method is provided for use in
lifting a large structure such as a transmission tower that is used
in our power grid. A lifting mechanism engages a structure
connected to the tower which work together to lift the tower once
the lifting mechanism has been activated. Once the tower is lifted,
a vertical extension section can be installed thus lifting the
tower, and its associated power lines, vertically a predetermined
distance.
Inventors: |
Margevicius; Joseph R.
(Detroit, MI), Wasmund; Marvin G. (St. Clair, IL),
Oliver; Andrew S. (Plainfield, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Margevicius; Joseph R.
Wasmund; Marvin G.
Oliver; Andrew S. |
Detroit
St. Clair
Plainfield |
MI
IL
IL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Walbridge Equipment Installation
LLC (Aurora, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
47437802 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/544,585 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130008097 A1 |
Jan 10, 2013 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61505703 |
Jul 8, 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H
12/344 (20130101); E04H 12/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04H
12/34 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;52/123.1,122.1,126.1,514 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Triggs; Andrew J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fishman Stewart Yamaguchi PLLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application
Ser. No. 61/505,703 filed on Jul. 8, 2011, the contents of which
are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
1. A tower lifting system comprising: a portable transport device;
a tower head structure configured to be attachable to a tower via a
clamp mechanism; and a lift structure associated with the portable
transport device arranged underneath the tower head structure and
having a centerline in alignment with a centerline of the tower,
the lift structure configured to lift the tower vertically relative
to a ground surface, the lift structure including a vertically
extendable lift member operable to extend lineally with the
centerline of the tower and engage the tower head structure;
wherein the lift member actuates the tower head structure and
associated tower vertically lineally with the centerline of the
tower relative to the ground surface from a first distance to a
second distance greater than the first distance.
2. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a leveling device operable to impart motion to the lift
structure for leveling the lift structure relative to the ground
surface upon which the lift structure traverses.
3. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a level indicator configured to indicate alignment of
the lift member with respect to the centerline of the tower.
4. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift
structure includes an outrigger for stabilizing the lifting
system.
5. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift
structure includes a hydraulic jack having telescoping sections
configured to extend upon application of hydraulic force, the lift
member comprising the telescoping sections.
6. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift
structure includes a mechanical lift configured to vertically lift
a first ladder section relative to the ground surface, maintain the
first ladder section in a raised state while a second ladder
section interfaces with the first ladder section, and vertically
lift the second ladder section, wherein the lift member comprises
the first and second ladder sections.
7. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
tower head structure includes a frame having a plurality of corners
and a centrally positioned receiver operable to receive the lift
member, wherein each corner of the frame includes a respective
clamping mechanism operable to affix the tower head structure to
the tower.
8. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a
centerline of the lift member is in alignment with the centerline
of the tower, which is in alignment with a centerline of the tower
head structure.
9. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a locking system operable to connect the lift member to
the tower head structure.
10. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a power driver for anchoring a pylon into the ground
surface for anchoring the lift structure.
11. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a vertical extension section disposed between the tower
and the ground surface when the lift member actuates the tower head
structure and associated tower from the first distance to the
second distance.
12. A method of conducting maintenance on a high voltage
transmission tower comprising: placing a lifting mechanism under an
electrical tower disposed on a ground surface; deploying at least
one outrigger; installing a support structure on the tower;
positioning the lifting mechanism beneath the support structure and
aligning a centerline of the lifting mechanism with a centerline of
the tower; activating the lifting mechanism to cause a member to
vertically extend lineally with the centerline of the tower and
receiving the member via the support structure; continuing to
activate the lifting mechanism until the support structure and
associated tower have been lifted a predetermined distance
vertically above the ground surface; positioning a vertical
extension under the tower and securing the vertical extension to
the tower; and retracting the lifting mechanism.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising providing
a leveling system for leveling the lifting mechanism.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising providing
a driver for anchoring the lifting mechanism to the ground
surface.
15. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising providing
a trailer for transporting the lifting mechanism to a job site.
16. A tower lifting system comprising: a portable transport device;
an electrical tower having pre-existing wires such that a distance
of the wires from a ground surface are a first dimension, the tower
including a head stand with a receiver having an opening oriented
toward the ground surface; a lift associated with the portable
transport device disposed under the tower and operable to lift the
electrical tower such that the distance of the wires from the
ground surface are increased from the first dimension to a second
dimension greater than the first dimension; the lift including a
lifting stand positioned underneath the receiver and having a
centerline in alignment with a centerline of the tower, the lifting
stand including a hydraulic jack having an outer body and a
plurality of telescoping sections operable to be hydraulically
actuated by the hydraulic jack and to exert an upward force; and
wherein an uppermost telescoping section of the hydraulic jack is
operable to vertically extend lineally with the centerline of the
tower to engage the receiver of the head stand and lift the tower
and associated wires lineally with the centerline of the tower from
the first dimension to the second dimension.
17. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 16, further
comprising a vertical extension section configured to be disposed
between the tower and the ground surface when the lift has
increased the distance of the wires from the first dimension to the
second dimension.
18. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
vertical extension is secured to corners of the tower at a first
end and to the ground surface at a second end.
19. The tower lifting system as claimed in claim 16, further
comprising: a plurality of outriggers positioned between the
hydraulic jack and the portable transport device; a positioning
level indicator and a leveling system for orientating the hydraulic
jack with respect to the receiver; and a head stand locking system
for securing the uppermost telescoping section of the hydraulic
jack to the receiver, the section configured to be received within
the receiver of the head stand.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
Transmission towers are used to provide a mechanism for carrying
high voltage power lines throughout an electrical power grid.
Typical transmission towers are aligned in a predetermined path and
are placed within a power grid in accordance with the needs and
demands of a population geographically located within the grid.
Over fifty years ago it became customary to erect transmission
towers across our country, which in large part have gone unattended
and without much maintenance.
Transmission lines are typically secured to the upper portion of
transmission towers using insulators, which allow the lines to be
stretched from tower to tower. The transmission lines extend for
miles and they drape from transmission tower to tower. Over time
the transmission lines have become stressed due to increased
exposure to environmental conditions and largely because the power
companies have increased the voltage being transmitted through the
grid system. This increase in voltage is due to increased consumer
demand due to population growth and industry growth over the last
century. Larger agricultural equipment has contributed to further
decreased clearances and fatalities have resulted due to
insufficient ground clearance.
One of the problems with transmission lines as they age is that
they have a tendency of expanding and contracting, which over the
years has caused them to generally stretch and increase in overall
length since they have a tendency to expand more than they
contract. When the length of the line increases, that extra length
has to be absorbed within the power grid system somehow. The end
result is that the newly extended length of lines is accumulated
between each transmission tower in the form of increased line sag.
Over time line sag can amount to several feet of vertical distance
in drop of the line towards the earth. In some instances, it has
been known that the transmission lines sag so severely that they
physically interfere with the environment below where the
transmission lines are hanging. It is desirable to eliminate this
concern for safety reasons as well as to comply with governmental
regulations. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system
and method of increasing the distance between the ground and
sagging transmission lines that are becoming abundant in our power
grid.
One method for resolving the aforementioned problem is to deliver a
large crane to a job site where the transmission tower resides and
use the crane to physically lift the tower up in the air so as to
provide room under the previously existing transmission tower. Once
the tower is raised, a vertical extension section can then be
permanently installed. This process raises up the tower which in
turn lifts up the transmission lines so that they are off of the
ground. The problem, however, with this approach is that cranes are
very expensive to operate on an hourly basis, which makes them cost
prohibitive to use exclusively for maintaining the thousands of
towers that are in our power grid. Further, because the type of
crane that is needed to do this job is so large, the installation
and setup process requires substantial resources and manpower to
even stage the crane at the job site. This is because large lift
cranes often require special beds to be laid down on the ground in
advance of the crane being delivered to the job site which often is
in rural areas having limited accessibility. The effort alone to
get a large crane to an individual tower location is very labor
intensive and often cost prohibitive. Thus, it would be preferred
to avoid the use of cranes for this transmission tower maintenance
work. A scheduled line outage is required for crane operations to
be performed safely--this is organizationally challenging and
costly to the utility.
One exemplary aspect is to provide a new method of installing an
extension or vertical riser section to the base of a previously
existing transmission tower. In one illustrative approach, the
method includes placing a portable modular lifting stand under the
transmission tower and stabilizing the stand relative to the
ground. A stand head is then secured to a section of the tower. The
lifting stand has a lifting mechanism that engages the stand head.
The transmission tower is now ready to be raised a sufficient
height so as to lift the transmission tower a predetermined
distance. Once the tower is lifted, an operator can locate at least
one tower vertical extension section into place. The vertical
extension section is then secured to the previous transmission
tower. The tower now has been modified by being lifted to a
predetermined distance, which in turn raises the transmission lines
further away from ground level. Once the tower has been modified,
the stand head can be disconnected from the portable modular
lifting stand which can now be moved away from the job site. All
equipment can be installed and operated within the safe clearance
zone without need for scheduled transmission line outage.
Additionally the equipment sits within the grounded cage of the
tower.
Another illustrative aspect of the present invention includes
providing a modular mobile lifting stand comprising a trailer, a
stand that is operable to be transported by the trailer, a lift
mechanism that is movable relative to the stand, and a stand head
that can be secured to a transmission tower. Other aspects of the
present invention will become apparent and are set forth below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the claims are not limited to the specific illustrations, an
appreciation of various aspects is best gained through a discussion
of various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings,
exemplary illustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings
represent the illustrations, the drawings are not necessarily to
scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate
and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the
exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form
and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the
following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are
described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows:
FIG. 1 illustrates aging transmission towers and transmission
lines;
FIG. 2 illustrates a transmission tower that needs to be serviced,
and showing the transmission lines low to the ground;
FIG. 3 illustrates a transmission tower with a stand head
installed;
FIG. 4 illustrates a transmission tower with a lifting stand system
in place and ready for operation;
FIG. 5 illustrates a lifting stand system having lifted the
transmission tower to its new position;
FIG. 6A illustrates a transmission tower having its new vertical
extension section installed;
FIG. 6B illustrates the FIG. 6A lifting stand system in its
extended position, but with the tower removed for clarity
purposes;
FIG. 7 illustrates the lifting stand system having been removed
from the transmission tower;
FIG. 8 illustrates a view taken from the perspective of arrow 8-8
of FIG. 6A, showing the stand head connected to the transmission
tower;
FIG. 9 illustrates a view taken from the perspective of arrow 9-9
of FIG. 6A, showing the positioning of the outrigger assemblies
locked in the operational mode;
FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from
circle 10 of FIG. 8, showing a tower head clamping system;
FIG. 11A illustrates a hydraulic lifting system that can be
articulated from a transport position to an operational
position;
FIG. 11B illustrates a top view of the FIG. 11A system;
FIG. 12A illustrates a side view of an alternative lifting stand
system;
FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of the FIG. 12A alternative
system;
FIG. 12C illustrates the FIG. 12A alternative lifting system with
two of its outriggers shown extended and secured to the ground;
FIG. 12D illustrates an anchor driving mechanism that is used with
the outrigger of the FIG. 12A lifting stand system;
FIG. 12E illustrates an enlarged view of circle 12E of FIG. 12D,
showing a hydraulic leveling assembly used in connection with a
lifting stand system;
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative tower lifting stand system at
the job site;
FIG. 14 illustrates a stand head secured to the transmission
tower;
FIG. 15 illustrates the lifting stand system shown in place
underneath the transmission tower;
FIG. 16 illustrates the lifting stand system having two modular
sections loaded into the mechanical lift;
FIG. 17 illustrates the lifting stand system having three modular
sections installed, thus causing the transmission tower to be
lifted off of the ground;
FIG. 18 illustrates the transmission tower fully lifted by the
lifting stand system;
FIG. 19 illustrates the transmission tower with the vertical
extension section installed;
FIG. 20 illustrates the transmission tower after it has been raised
and the power lines having been lifted further off of the ground;
and
FIG. 21 illustrates a top view taken from line 21-21 of FIG. 15,
showing four outrigger assemblies deployed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates typical transmission lines that one might find
in the power grid that is used in our country. High voltage
transmission towers 2 traverse our countryside and are connected by
transmission lines 4. Insulators 6 suspend the lines 4 from the
towers 2. Over time, the distance d between the lowermost point 8
of the power line 4 and the ground 10 will change. FIG. 1
illustrates transmission lines 4 that have aged and are in need of
repair.
FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus and method that can be used to
maintain a tower 2 that has transmission lines 4 that have sagged
to an unacceptable lower point 8. To address this problem, a novel
portable lifting stand system 14 has been delivered to a job site.
A vehicle 16 pulls a trailer 17 in place where it can be staged for
a maintenance project. The system 14 is transported on the trailer
17. Of course, system 14 could be incorporated into vehicle 16 so
the illustrative approach is merely exemplary. The tower is shown
with sagging 8 power lines 4 that are offset from the ground 10 a
vertical distance of d. There is sufficient clearance under the
tower 2 to allow a vehicle 16 and the tower lifting stand system 14
to drive underneath the tower 2 and to be located to an operating
position. Pads 18 are positioned on the ground 10 at predetermined
positions so as to provide landing pads for the outriggers of the
lifting stand system 14 to rest upon. It will be appreciated that
the lifting system 14 can be used when lifting a tower 2, and other
large structures and objects. Thus, while the description below is
exemplary of how such a system could be used in tower maintenance
applications, it will be appreciate that such a system could be
used for other projects where lifting and maintaining large objects
is desired.
With reference to FIG. 3, a head stand 20 is shown secured to a
tower 2 at its lower portion 22. The head stand 20 is made of
structural steel and includes a frame 24 that is secured at its
four corners to the tower 2 by a tower clamping mechanism 26. The
details of the tower clamping mechanism 26 are further depicted in
FIG. 10. The head stand 20 further includes a receiver 28 that is
operable to receive the telescoping outermost end portion of a
telescoping member, or the like. The head stand 20 further includes
a head stand locking system 30 which is operable to secure an
upwardly extending telescoping portion to the frame 24 of the head
stand 20.
FIG. 4 illustrates the tower lifting stand 14 advanced to its
operating position underneath the tower 2. The vehicle 16 has been
removed from the location so as to provide a better working
environment. With reference to both FIGS. 4 and 5, the tower
lifting stand system 14 includes a hydraulic jack 32, a plurality
of outriggers 34, a positioning leveling indicator 36, and a
leveling system 38. The hydraulic jack 32 includes an outer body 40
and a plurality of telescoping sections 42, 44 and 46. Each section
is operable to be hydraulically actuated by the hydraulic jack 32
and exert an upward force on the tower 2. The uppermost section 46
is operable to be received within the receiver 28 of the head stand
20 such that they engage one another and can be locked via a head
stand locking system 30. The head stand locking system 30 can be
remotely controlled with a remote device 58 by an operator on the
ground so as to provide remote engagement and disengagement of the
telescoping section 46 from the head stand 20 as discussed in more
detail before with respect to FIG. 6B. This avoids the necessity of
a worker having to climb the tower 2 and manually secure together
the hydraulic jack 32 to the head stand 20.
A ground wire or system 48 extends from the lower portion 22 of the
tower to the ground 10. It will be appreciated that other grounding
mechanisms 48 could be utilized to ensure safety of the workers who
are maintaining the tower. This system 14 may be installed and is
operable while the transmission lines 4 are under power.
FIG. 5 illustrates jack 32 in an engaged upper position. An
electrical ground 48 is shown extended, which results due to its
flexibility in design. It will be appreciated that other electrical
grounding systems can be employed. It will be important that they
allow for the tower 2 to be lifted off of the earth, while
remaining live with current flowing through at a desired voltage,
the transmission lines 4, all the while protecting a worker from
being injured.
FIG. 6A illustrates the tower 2 after having been lifted up to its
elevated position. Once the tower 2 has been moved to this
position, it is now ready to have a vertical extension section 50
installed in the space that has been created by the lifting of the
tower. The vertical extension section 50 is bolted at its corners
52 to the tower 2 by using conventional fastening mechanisms and
methods. The base 54 of the vertical extension section 50 sets in
the same position that the tower 2 had set prior to undertaking
this maintenance process. Thus, the section 50 is re-anchored to
the prior mounts that were used originally to anchor the tower 2.
During the period when the tower 2 is in the elevated position as
shown in FIG. 6A, it will be important to maintain the tower
lifting stand system 14 in a stable position. The transmission
lines 4 are kept intact with the tower insulators 6 during this
maintenance process so as to keep the tower active and under power
during this maintenance process. Thus, it is important that the
present method of maintaining the tower 2 not interrupt the usage
of the tower during this maintenance process. This is in part
accomplished by the outriggers 34 being maintained on a solid
foundation such as the pads 18. It will be appreciated that the
outriggers 34 could be anchored to the ground directly so as to
provide enhanced stabilization of the tower lifting stand system
14.
FIG. 6B illustrates the tower lifting stand system 14 in an
extended position, as shown in FIG. 6A. The hydraulic jack 32 is
shown with a pair of outriggers 34 on opposite sides of its body or
housing 40. For simplicity purposes, only two outriggers 34 are
shown in this illustration. It will be appreciated that multiple
outriggers 34 can be placed around the perimeter of the housing 40
as is desired for a particular application of this system. The
hydraulic jack 32 is shown with its telescoping sections 42, 44 and
46 fully extended. The telescoping sections are operable to be
recessed within a cavity 56 of the hydraulic jack 32 when the
system is not being used. The sections will be stored in this
position during a transport mode between job sites.
The head stand 20 is shown with the upper part of telescoping
section 46 locked into place by the head stand locking mechanism
30. The locking mechanism 30 can be accomplished by hydraulic
actuating members either mounted relative to the telescoping
section 46, or relative to the head stand 20. The head stand
locking mechanism 30 can be activated by a remote device 58 which
allows an operator to stand on the ground and to accomplish the
connection of the head stand 20 relative to the hydraulic jack 32.
It will be appreciated that other mechanisms could be employed so
as to securely fasten the head stand 20 to the hydraulic jack
32.
FIG. 7 illustrates a tower 2 that has been raised and the vertical
extension section 50 having been properly installed. The tower 2
now has been lifted to a new height of a distance of d'. By lifting
the tower to a new distance of d', the transmission lines 4 have
now been raised so that their lowermost point 8 is further off of
the ground, thus reducing the potential for contact with the
transmission line.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top view taken from a perspective of line 8-8
of FIG. 6A. The various sections of the tower 2 are shown along
with the structure of the head stand 20 secured into position at
four locations. The head stand 20 has a plurality of cross members
60 and outer members 62 that collectively are secured together to
create a rigid structure. At the center of that rigid structure is
the receiver 28 that is operable to receive an end of the
telescoping section 46. Each corner of the head stand 20 is secured
to a section 64 of the tower 2.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view taken from the perspective of line
9-9 of FIG. 6A, showing the hydraulic jack 32 and its four
outriggers 34 rotated into an operational position. The trailer 17
is shown located in position relative to the jack 32. With
reference to both FIGS. 6B and 9, the outriggers 34 each include a
generally triangle shaped structure having a base 66, a vertical
member 68 and an angled section 70. A pivot member 72 is located at
the top and bottom of the outrigger 34. The pivot member 72
provides a pivot mechanism for securing the outrigger assemblies 34
to the body 40 of the hydraulic jack 32. It will be appreciated
that the outriggers 34 may be selectively disconnected from the
hydraulic jack.
The outer end of each outrigger assembly 34 includes a leveling
system 38 for leveling the tower lifting stand system 14 relative
to the earth. The leveling indicator 36 tells the operator when the
leveling system 38 is properly in place. It is important that the
centerline of the hydraulic jack 32 be in alignment with the
centerline of the tower 2, which is also in alignment with the head
stand 20. The leveling system 38 helps accomplish this task. For
example, FIG. 6A illustrates the centerlines of the jack 32 and the
tower 2 in alignment. This provides for proper vertical positioning
of the tower 2 during the maintenance process.
With continued reference to FIG. 9, the outrigger assemblies 34 are
shown in their deployed position being mounted on top of pads 18.
It will be appreciated that the outriggers may be advanced to a
stowed position 74 (shown in phantom) which can be accomplished by
rotating the outrigger assembly 34 in the direction of the arrow
76.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view 64 taken from the circle
10 shown in FIG. 8. This section 64 illustrates a reusable tower
clamping mechanism 26, which serves a purpose of affixing the tower
head stand 20 to the existing tower structure 2. The clamping
mechanism 26 includes a pair of spacers 90 that juxtapose the frame
of the tower 2. Adjacent to the spacers are stand head members 20'
which form a part of the stand head 20. Fasteners 92 are used to
clamp the structures together in an easy fashion. The clamping
mechanism is located at each corner where the stand head 20 and
tower 2 meet.
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an alternative arrangement of the FIG.
2 tower lifting stand system 14. In this arrangement, the hydraulic
jack 32 can be transported on the trailer in a lowered or
horizontal position 78. Once at the jobsite, an operator can
advance the hydraulic jack from its lowered position to a middle
position 80 and then to its locked upright position 82. This
raising feature can be accomplished manually or with the aid of an
actuator. A pivot mechanism 84 allows the jack 32 to rotate about
an axis of the pivot mechanism 84. It will be appreciated that once
the jack 32 has been advance to the locked upright position 82, the
system 14 can then be deployed for lifting a tower 2. It will
further be appreciated that the aforementioned outrigger assemblies
34 could be utilized with this illustrative example, which are
shown in FIG. 11B in the transport position.
With reference to FIG. 12A, an alternative tower lifting stand
system 100 is illustrated which includes a mechanical lift 102,
outrigger assemblies 104, ladder sections 106, 108, 110 and 112,
and a trailer 114. The trailer 114 is operable to be connected to a
vehicle 16 so that the system 100 can be transported easily from
job site to job site. Further, the trailer 114 must be sufficiently
rugged so as to allow it to be maneuvered across rugged terrain
conditions. It should be possible to connect the trailer 114 to an
all-terrain vehicle when it is desired to use the system 100 in
more difficult environmental situations.
The mechanical lift 102 can be the type used by operators when
building large cranes that are used during high-rise building
projects. The mechanical lift 102 can be powered by a power unit
116 which could impart power to a lift system 118. The lift system
118 is operable to receive a plurality of ladder sections 106, 108,
110 and 112 which in turn can be lifted one by one in a vertical
manner in order to create a raised vertical section for imparting
motion to an underside of the tower 2. In the present exemplary
approach, it is contemplated that four ladder sections, 106, 108,
110 and 112, could be connected in tandem through mechanical
fastening methods which are well known. An example of four ladder
sections being connected can be seen in FIG. 19. It will be
appreciated that other types of mechanical lifts or lifting
mechanisms 102 are contemplated to be used with the present method
of lifting a tower or structure. Any such lifting mechanism must
provide controllable axial movement and be operable to lift
significant loads.
The tower lifting stand system 100 also includes a plurality of
outrigger assemblies 104, each of which can be connected to a
corner of the mechanical lift 102. As shown in FIG. 12B, the
outrigger assemblies 104 are shown in a stowed position relative to
the trailer 114, during the transport mode. Each outrigger assembly
104 includes an outrigger arm 120 and a pivot locking mechanism
122. Each pivot locking mechanism 122 is connected to a housing 124
of the mechanical lift 102 at both the upper and lower portions of
the mechanical lift 102. Each pivot locking mechanism 122 further
includes a pivot feature having a vertical axis for providing
pivotal rotation of each outrigger arm assembly 120 relative to the
housing 124.
The outrigger arm assembly 120 includes a vertical member 126, a
base member 128 and an angled member 130. A leveling mechanism 132
is located at a lower end of the outrigger assembly 104. The pivot
locking mechanism 122 further includes a mechanical lock for
securing its outrigger arm 120 into a predetermined locked position
during the operational mode. The pivot locking mechanism 122 also
has a stowed lock position for maintaining the outrigger arms 120
in a stowed position while being transported upon trailer 114. With
continued reference to FIG. 12B, the outrigger assemblies 104 are
shown in their stowed position but they are operable to be advanced
to a deployed position so that the lifting stand system 100 can be
used at the job site. Thus, the pivot locking mechanism 122
operates to secure the outrigger arm 120 into its desired position
based upon current usage demands.
A level sensor 134 is in communication with the housing 124 of the
mechanical lift 102. The level sensor 134 provides the operator
visual feedback as to the level status of the mechanical lift 102.
The leveling mechanism 132 that is connected to the outrigger
assembly 104 is capable of imparting motion to the lifting stand
system 100 so as to aid in making it level relative to the earth.
Thus, the level sensor 134 and the leveling mechanism 132 aid the
operator in assuring and reaching a level state for the lifting
stand systems 14 and 100.
FIG. 12C illustrates a side elevational view of an alternative
example of the lifting stand system 100 being anchored to the
ground. In this example, the lifting stand system 100 does not
utilize pads or crane mats upon which the stand system 100 rests.
Instead, pylons 140 are anchored to the ground 142 by using augers
144, or the like. It will be appreciated that pylons 140 could
anchor each outrigger arm 120.
FIGS. 12D and 12E illustrate a schematic view of one of the
outrigger assemblies 104 that are shown in the FIG. 12C embodiment.
The pylon 140 is shown extending through the leveling mechanism
132. A powered driver 146 can be powered for imparting rotational
movement to the pylon 140. A screw system 148 can be part of the
leveling mechanism 132. Thus, when driver 146 is activated, it
causes the pylon 140 to rotate down into the earth so as to provide
a strong anchoring feature for the lifting stand system 100. Once
the pylon 140 is positioned, the leveling mechanism 132 can be
activated, either hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, or by
some other means, thus allowing the outrigger assemblies 104 to
move relative to the pylon 140 to a desired level position.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative tower lifting stand system 100
being positioned at a work site. A tower 2 is shown having
transmission lines 4 that sag to a lowermost point 8. The sagging
transmission lines 4 are located a distance d off of the ground 10,
which under these circumstances, should be improved. The trailer 17
is shown loaded with the lift 102 and the four ladder sections 106,
108, 110 and 112.
FIG. 14 illustrates the next step where a stand head 20 is secured
in position relative to the tower 2. The stand 20 is connected to
the tower 2 utilizing the same system and mechanism as discussed
above and as shown in FIG. 10. The stand head 20 is reusable and is
made of structural steel.
FIG. 15 illustrates the step of a the tower lifting stand system
100 being advanced to a position where the centerline of the
mechanical lift 102 is aligned with the centerline of the head
stand 20. Each outrigger assemblies 104 have been fully deployed
and they rest upon pad 18. Only two outriggers 104 are shown in
this Figure for simplicity purposes, however, it will be
appreciated that all of the outrigger assemblies 104 should be
deployed and resting on their respective pads at this step. Once
the outrigger assemblies 104 have been fully deployed, the lift 102
is completely off of the trailer 17.
FIG. 16 illustrates the step of a ladder section 108 now being
inserted into the mechanical lift 102. At this point, the ladder
section 106 has now been advanced upwardly into the receiver 28 of
the head stand 20. At this step the tower 2 is still resting firmly
on the ground 10.
FIG. 17 illustrates the step of the ladder section 110 being
advanced to the mechanical lift 102. At this step the mechanical
lift 102 has caused the tower 2 to now clear the ground resulting
in the tower 2 and wires 4 being lifted. The leveling sensor 134
can now be inspected so as to make certain the tower 2 is in proper
vertical orientation. If it is not level, the leveling mechanism
132 can be activated in order to reorient and level the lifting
stand system 100. At this time, over 45,000 pounds of pressure are
being exerted downwardly on the lifting stand system 100 as a
direct result of the weight of the tower 2 and the power lines 4
exerting their downward forces. Thus, both the system 14 and 100
must be sufficiently rugged to withstand these compression
forces.
FIG. 18 illustrates the step of the tower 2 being lifted up off the
ground a predetermined distance. At this step, the ladder section
112 has been installed in the mechanical lift 104 thus providing
the added vertical lift that is desired for this maintenance
project. At this time, a space s is now provided under the tower 2
which provides sufficient vertical height to satisfy the
maintenance requirements for this project. The lifting stand system
100 has now reached its desired vertical maximum position and it is
now locked into position so that maintenance can proceed on the
tower 2.
FIG. 19 illustrates the step of a vertical extension section 50
being constructed around the lower portion of the tower 2. The
lifting stand system 100 is sufficiently streamlined in size and
configuration so as to allow operators to easily install the
vertical extension section 50 around the lifting stand system 100,
while it remains in place. Once the vertical extension section 50
has been fully installed and secured to the tower 2, the lifting
stand system 100 can then be removed. This is accomplished by each
of the ladder sections 112, 110, 108 and 106 being uninstalled in
the reverse manner as discussed above. Once all of the ladder
sections have been uninstalled, the tower 2 is then left standing
freely on its newly installed vertical extension section 50. At
this time, the head stand 20 can now be unsecured from the tower
2.
FIG. 20 illustrates the FIG. 19 tower 2, but with the novel tower
lifting stand system 100 removed. The tower 2 has now been updated
such that the distance between the sagging line 4 and the ground 10
has been increased to d'. This enhanced distance d' now provides
greater clearance in the space underneath the transmission lines
4.
FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the FIG. 15 exemplary system
taken from lines 21-21. The outrigger assemblies 104 have each been
deployed to their in-use position where the leveling mechanism 132
has been centered relative to pad 18. By providing four outrigger
assemblies 104 at distally opposed positions, the mechanical lift
102 can be firmly placed on the ground and leveled with the aid of
the unique leveling mechanisms 132. Shown in phantom are the
outrigger assemblies 104 when they are placed in their stowed
position relative to the trailer 114.
Utilizing the tower lifting stand system 14 will now be presented.
It will be appreciated that operation of the system 100 will be
similar in methodology. A vehicle 16 pulls the tower lifting stand
system 14 to a job site and locates it approximate to a tower 2. A
head stand 20 is then secured to the tower 2 by conventional
fastening means. Crane mats or pads 18 can be installed at
appropriate positions so as to provide proper foundation for the
hydraulic jack 32 to sit upon. The hydraulic jack 32 can now be
energized by a hydraulic power unit 86. The power unit, which can
be mounted to the trailer 17, can be a motor with an associated
hydraulic pump. As the hydraulic jack 32 is energized, telescoping
portions 42, 44 and 46 are in turn energized and advanced to their
predetermined maximum vertical positions. As telescoping section 46
engages head stand 20, the locking mechanism 30 locks into place,
thus firmly securing the head stand 20 relative to the hydraulic
jack 32. Once the locking mechanism 30 has been locked into place,
the operator can view a visual indicator on the remote device 58 so
as to provide a visual indication that the locking mechanism 30
indeed has been locked. A visual indicator on the remote device 58
could be provided in the form of a green light thus signaling to
the operator that all conditions are go.
After the locking mechanism 30 has been confirmed to be in its
locking condition, the operator then continues to advance the
telescoping sections in an upward direction thus lifting the tower
2 off of the ground. The ground 48 maintains continuity with the
tower and the ground 10 so as to assure safety for the operator.
Once the hydraulic jack 32 has fully elevated the tower 2 to a
desired position, the jack can be locked into place. At this time,
the operator can install the vertical extension section 50 in place
underneath the tower 2. During this time period the lifting stand
system 14 continues to remain level. Once the vertical extension
section 50 has been fully installed, the locking mechanism can be
released via the remote device 58, thus allowing the operator to
lower the telescoping sections back to within the body 40 of the
jack 32. Next the leveling system 38 retracts its downwardly
extending arms to where the jack then rests on the trailer 17. The
outriggers 34 can then be positioned to their stowed or transport
position and locked into place for safe traveling. The vehicle 16
can then be hitched to the trailer 17 and the lifting stand system
14 can then be transported to the next job site.
If the telescoping hydraulic jack system 32 of FIG. 11A is
deployed, then the operator unlocks the hydraulic jack 32. This
then allows the jack 32 to pivot about pivot mechanism 84 and then
lowered to its resting position 78.
It will be appreciated that the aforementioned process and devices
may be modified to have some steps removed, or may have additional
steps added, all of which are deemed to be within the spirit of the
present invention. Even though the present invention has been
described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will
be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made
to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the
present invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the
specification and the drawings are to be regarded as an
illustrative thought instead of merely a restrictive thought of the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *